| Citation |
BNL.746.007
17 Apr 1746:11 (2296)
Extract of a letter from Stoksley, in Yorkshire, dated Dec
27.
On Monday or Tuesday last a number of Stoksley boys pull'd
some stiles of Mr. Pearson's Mass-House, the damage of which
might amount to eleven shillings. The Papists could not see
their place of worship thus insulted without resenting it;
therefore got a warrant from Mr. Shottowe against one of the
boys (a sailor) who had been the most active in the affair.
The constables on Christmas-Day apprehended the boy; upon
which his associates were call'd together to the number of
near 200, and being join'd by some young fellows, march'd in
order (with drums beating, and colours flying to Mr.
Shottow's, and declar'd to him, that they all acknowledg'd
themselves equally guilty with the boy who stood charg'd
with the fact. Mr. Shottowe could not forbear laughing at
them; however, after giving them a gentle reprimand, he
dismissed them, recommending it to the papists to put up
with the damage. Upon this the boys went to Ayton, beating
up for volunteers for his Majesty's service and inlisted
about forty boys; then marched to Stoksley Cross, fix'd
their colours upon it, and made large coal fires about it,
the spectators all wondering what were their intentions to
act next. When they had compleated the fires they march'd
in a full body to the mass house, got upon it, stripp'd off
all the tiles, and beat down the ceiling; from whence they
let themselves down in the chappel pull'd it to pieces and
toss'd the things out the windows . . . [about 20 lines]
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